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DA: DNA of Austin Sigg, suspect in Jessica Ridgeway murder, found on backpack

By Jessica Fender and Ryan ParkerThe Denver Post

Posted:
10/25/2012 08:17:26 AM MDT

Updated:
10/25/2012 10:30:46 AM MDT

Austin Sigg's grandparents leave the advisement hearing for their grandson at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Golden Thursday October 25, 2012. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

GOLDEN — The suspect accused of killing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway will face charges in adult court, prosecutors said Thursday morning as Austin Sigg made his first appearance in a Jefferson County juvenile court.

Sigg, arrested Tuesday night, will remain in a juvenile facility without bond until charges are filed at his next court appearance Oct. 30.

Sigg, described in arrest papers as "cooperative," is at the Mount View Youth Services Center in Lakewood, which houses juveniles charged with crimes. He is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, felony murder and kidnapping in Jessica's case, and with criminal attempt to kidnap and murder in an attack on a jogger at Ketner Lake.

Jessica Ridgeway, 10, vanished Oct. 5 after leaving for school.

Prosecutors will ask that he be transferred to county jail.

Prosecutors said Thursday their case is bolstered by the teen's confession and by the fact his DNA matches material found on Jessica's backpack.

There was high security in the courtroom, with 14 law enforcement officers guarding the suspect. Sigg's younger brother collapsed against his mother in tears as his heavily shackled brother was led into a courtroom. Other Sigg family members were apparently turned away by the court.

Jessica's family were in court wearing purple, her favorite color.

After the hearing, District Attorney Scott Storey declined to say what charges Sigg will likely face, citing a gag order request that's under consideration by the judge at the defense's request.

He said charging Sigg as an adult is "the right thing to do."

As a 17-year-old, Sigg can be tried and, if convicted, punished as an adult in the case. But, after U.S. Supreme Court rulings in other cases, he would not be eligible for the death penalty or a mandatory life term without parole.

Sigg's attorneys are asking for a gag order in the case; no details of the evidence against Sigg have been released, and documents already filed in the case have been sealed.

District Attorney for the First Judicial District Scott W. Storey addresses the media following Austin Reed Sigg's first court appearance at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Golden, Colorado on Thursday, October 25, 2012. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Sigg, 17, lives about 1½ miles from Jessica in a neighborhood near Ketner Lake in Westminster. The arrest was made Tuesday evening after Sigg's mother called authorities and he turned himself in.

Jessica Ridgeway was last seen walking to Witt Elementary School on Oct. 5. Her backpack was discovered two days later in Superior, 6 miles away. Her body, which police said was "not intact," was then Oct. 10 in Pattridge Park Open Space in Arvada, 9 miles from her home.